WSTBC - COMMITTEE MINUTES - 2 MARCH 2024
Woodhall Spa Town Bowls Club
Minutes of Committee Meeting
1000hrs Saturday 2nd March
2024
Present:
Dave
Walsh (Chairman/Greenkeeper)
Steve
Anderson (Treasurer/Bar Subcommittee)
Sam
Elgar (Secretary)
Ron
Nicholson (Friendly Fixtures/Bar Subcommittee Lead/Vice Chair)
Brian
Trinder (General)
Hazel
Trinder (Catering/Events)
Phil
Redman (Fixtures Secretary)
Pauline
Mallon (Joint Competitions Secretary)
Kevin
Mallon (Joint Competitions Secretary)
Paul
Bastiani (Membership/Property Secretary)
Terry
Butchart (Sponsorship Liaison/Bar Subcomittee)
Bev
Redman (Social Secretary)
Apologies:
Nil
Minutes of
Previous Meeting:
Agreed as
correct.
Chairman s/Green
keeper s Report (Dave Walsh)
Dave welcomed
Bev to the Committee as Social Secretary and the rest of the Committee joined
him.
Dave reported
that Ben from Grassroots is happy with the opening and closing of the Green
dates we agreed at the last meeting. They are now published on our website.
Ben has also
been completing work on the bare patches on the Green at the edges that we
thought had probably been caused by leaves accumulating outside of maintenance
and cutting. On investigation Ben discovered and treated an infection in these
areas. As a result the Green is looking much better as usual.
Treasurers
Report (Steve Anderson):
Steve reported
that the balances have been interrogated and have gone down by 2k since the
last meeting as a result of league entry payments, web hosting, score card
purchase, regular utility bills and a main cost driver of Green maintenance.
Steve presented
the Committee with a spreadsheet showing a projected loss of 3,151.88 over the
2024 season due to the loss of 1940 s weekend and current charges/expenditure.
The spreadsheet
highlighted numerous areas where charges and expenditure could be amended in
order to reduce this projected loss. Each was discussed in detail and changes
agreed by the Committee:
Fuel payments to
those providing lifts to matches – this is not something other clubs pay and
with vehicles becoming more economical felt excessive now. The Committee
agreed that these payments will cease and members receiving lifts from others
should consider donating a couple of pounds towards fuel to their drivers,
agreeing this amongst themselves.
Green Fees these
have remained at 1.50 for a number of years now and are no longer in line with
nearby clubs who are already charging 2. It was agreed that the green fees
will raise to 2 in 2024 season.
Grill/Cakes/Kitchen/Bar
Ingredients have increased in cost this year and our prices need to rise to
continue bringing in a health profit. It is expected that all local businesses
will raise their prices and so ours will still remain the cheapest in the
area. It was agreed to raise these by 20%, in effect putting 50p on a burger
for instance.
Meals provided at
Friendly Fixtures it is appreciated that the ingredients have also increased
in price for these yet it is difficult to work out what the cost will be prior
to approaching the dates they are required for. We have always received great
compliments on the quality of these meals so it was not felt cheaper
ingredients should be sourced that would consequently compromise the quality.
Instead, the meals will be costed close to the events and 50% added on to this price
in order to provide a fair profit for our club and maintain quality.
Car Boot the cost
of 5 per pitch has been in place for many years now and it was considered on
the day if this should increase to 8. It was agreed that Patrick Newton and
Mike Fox who kindly organise these should have the opportunity to provide input,
so this conversation continued by email after the meeting. The price of other
car boot pitches nearby was taken into consideration as well as the additional
profit already agreed on the grill/kitchen/cakes, and it was agreed that these
will remain at 5.
Club shirt prices
It was agreed that these are for members only and having used the initial
discount via sponsorship to subsidise the cost, they are now offered at full cost
price anyway so we should not put any additional charges above cost price on
these.
Advertising around
the Green last year this was sold at 70/year however sponsors are reported
to be happy to pay the going rate of 100/year which was agreed as the new
price.
Camping this has
remained at 5/night/person for a number of years whilst it includes use of
some of our utilities which have risen in price. It was agreed that raising
this to 8/person/night should be the 2024 price.
It was noted that
the profits from winter social events have dropped to nil over the 23-24 out of
season period. This appears to be due to lack of interest from members. We
are pleased to have Bev on board as our new enthusiastic Social Secretary and ask
that everyone engage with exciting new events Bev will be championing for us.
Clubhouse hire
(businesses) this has run at 15/hour over the last season but the profit
becomes eroded by the increased utility bills it attracts. It was therefore
agreed that this will now rise to 20/hour.
Clubhouse hire
(members) this had been 25/day last year but those who used it felt it was
worth much more and suggested a rate of 40/day. All agreed that this remains
excellent value for the facilities and approved 40/day.
Membership
Subscriptions These were voted on at AGM to remain at 40 full members and 5
social members so will not change for the 2024 season however our finances will
need scrutinising again before the November 2024 AGM and if other measures put
in place have not covered the loss of 1940 s weekend profits of 3k, then members
should be mindful that these will need to rise for the 2025 season.
Secretary s
Report (Sam Elgar):
Sam stated that
she has updated the website with all our confirmed 2024 dates as well as the
application forms to enter our Open Pairs and Triples.
The Open Pairs
and Triples competition entry forms have also been shared to the other
Secretaries in region who will display at their clubs for us.
Sam had printed
up a number of Open competition entry forms shared for display in this manner
to our club, if you are considering entering, these can be viewed on the first
notice board on your right as you enter our clubhouse.
Sam was pleased
to share an email from Paul Fox stating he would like to hold more camps this year
as well as maintaining a booking where the 1940 s weekend would have fallen.
The Pre-season
meeting agenda was agreed ready for Sam to share with all members the same day,
in preparation for the following Saturday (Pre-season meeting 2pm Saturday 9th
March 2024).
Sam asked if the
agreed Open Day preparation is underway for 2pm Sat 6th April. Ron
confirmed he has booked the roundabout banner. Dave confirmed it is appearing
in the Woodhall Wapentake, Bev agreed to produce a new poster which we can all
share to raise interest. Steve stated there are no official bowls
clothing/equipment suppliers available to attend, Sam and Terry agreed to
approach some local businesses who produce bowling shoes and suitable
trousers/shorts, this may even result in additional sponsorship.
Sam raised that
she has been sent scam emails pretending to be Dave Walsh and Steve Anderson,
asking for her to purchase items. It was agreed the names and email addresses
targeted/used are most likely being taken from our website where the Chairman,
Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary have these displayed to allow
contact from potential new members and genuine enquiries. It was agreed that
these need to remain to allow genuine contact and the scam emails are easy to
spot as they do not come from the genuine email address of these 4 listed but just
have the prefix of their name, typically have Americanised phrases and are
always asking for purchases to be made. The Committee agreed that they will
not be purchasing anything without confirming over the phone with the other
Committee member that an email has come from them.
Membership/Property
Secretary s Report (Paul Bastiani):
Nil
to report.
Fixtures
Secretary s Report (Phil Redman):
Nil to report.
Friendly
Fixtures Secretary (Ron Nicholson):
Ron reported
that he has been in contact with Collingham who have confirmed their visit to
us on Sunday 30th June, Sam will add this date to our website and
Ron will put up list to add your names when the time of the visit is confirmed.
Ron has also
been in touch with Sutton on Sea who have confirmed both home and away dates,
these are away (at Sutton on Sea) Saturday 4th May they usually go
for fish and chips following their games, which we are encouraged to
participate in and home (at WSTBC) Saturday 8th June. Sam will also
add these to our website and Ron will produce lists to sign up on.
Ron may have
news from Holt for the next meeting.
Bar (Ron
Nicholson):
In line with
agreed prices the alcohol will go up by 20% for the 2024 season. It is hoped
the bar will contribute to combating our 1940 s deficit in its first full
season of availability.
Competition
Secretary s Report (Pauline & Kevin Mallon):
Pauline and
Kevin reported that the sign-up sheets for 2024 competitions will be up in our
clubhouse for members to add their names from 9th March, at the
Pre-season meeting. Entry this year will be 2/competition, in line with the
increase in Green Fees.
Sponsorship/Liaison
Secretary s Report (Terry Butchart):
Nil to report.
Social
Secretary s Report (Bev Redman):
Bev showed the
Committee a pack of Bonus Ball cards she has obtained for us and following
discussion it was agreed Bev will also supply an honesty box for this. Each
card has 100 squares which can be purchased at 1/square. When the card is
full the winning number will be scratched off and 70 will be won by the lucky
person having bought that square, with 30 going to club funds.
Bev talked about
a version of cricket bowls a nearby club plays. The equipment includes wickets
which do not damage the Green at all and can be produced by those with
carpentry skills (Dave 😊) relatively easily. The new Fixed Jack
Coronation Cup last season was a great hit and has embedded as an annual
event. Bev will investigate this potential hit further and look to present to
us with more information shortly.
Bev understands
that members indicated they prefer afternoon events and is happy to do the
preparation required to put on events that members want, be they Racing, Bingo,
Quiz or something completely new. Please discuss any ideas you have with Bev
and support the events she leads on for us.
Events/Catering
Secretary s Report (Hazel Trinder):
Whilst Ron had
offered to take on co-ordinating the Open Pairs and Triples, Hazel has decided
she enjoys it too much to pass on so will continue with these.
Hazel has posted
and emailed out entry forms for these and so far, received 5 Triples entries
and 7 Pairs entries. If you have not yet done so please consider entering
these enjoyable events.
Any other
Business:
Brian raised
that the expense of filling the 12 troughs with flowers this year has become
too high to justify. Paul stated at his previous club members put their names
down to fill and maintain a trough each. This not only saved on expenses for
the club but lead to healthy competition between members to cultivate trough of
the year. All agreed this is something we should offer to members.
Our Committee
board needs amending to reflect Bev Redman joining, John Egleston retiring and
Ron Nicholson/Steve Anderson switching roles.
Dave stated that
the member who had suggested holding a craft fair to raise club funds had
decided against investigating this further and presenting costings to the
Committee.
Steve has
managed to change our electric tariff to one with 60p/day instead of 1/day
standing charge. This will save us approx. 400/year. (Added to minutes by
Steve in explanation : in addition to the Standing Charge decrease, the
rate per kilowatt has also been reduced from 47.82 pence per KWh (+VAT) to 24.2
pence per Kwh (+VAT)) Well done
Steve.
Whilst Terry
managed to find a charity which would fund 50% of a de-fib cost, he has as yet
been unable to find a fully funded option but will keep on investigating.
With there being
no further matters arising the meeting was closed by the Chair at 1150hrs.
Next
Committee Meeting:
Saturday 6th
April 2024. 1000hrs.
